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| Why Ancient Roman Cities Followed Breastfeeding Rules—But Rural Areas Ignored Them |
The question of when to stop breastfeeding is as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome. A fascinating new study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Nexus, reveals that ancient Romans faced a similar dilemma—and their choices often depended on whether they lived in cities or rural areas. By analyzing the chemical composition of ancient teeth, researchers found that urban families weaned their babies earlier than their rural counterparts, mirroring a pattern still seen in modern societies.
This discovery sheds light on the influence of Roman public health guidelines, with urban families—who had better access to medical advice—following the recommendations of Roman physicians to stop breastfeeding around age 2. Rural families, on the other hand, often breastfed their children for much longer, sometimes up to 5 years.
What Did Roman Physicians Recommend?
Roman medical texts, particularly those by the second-century physician Soranus, advised mothers to stop breastfeeding around the age of 2. This recommendation was widely circulated among wealthy urban families, who often employed wet nurses to breastfeed their infants. In contrast, rural families, with limited access to such texts and resources, relied on traditional practices and often breastfed their children for longer periods.
Modern vs. Ancient Guidelines
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, followed by gradual weaning up to 2 years or more. Interestingly, the ancient Roman guidelines align closely with modern recommendations, highlighting the timeless nature of this debate.
How Did Researchers Uncover Ancient Breastfeeding Practices?
To map breastfeeding patterns across the Roman Empire, a team led by bioarchaeologist Carlo Cocozza of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology analyzed the teeth of 45 adults who lived between the first century B.C.E. and the fourth century C.E. These individuals came from cemeteries across the empire, including urban sites like Thessaloniki (Greece) and Pompeii (Italy), as well as rural areas like Bainesse (England) and Ostia (Italy).
The Science of Isotopic Analysis
The researchers focused on **dentin**, a tissue found in teeth that records dietary changes over time, much like tree rings. By measuring nitrogen isotopes in the dentin, they could determine when breastfeeding stopped and solid foods were introduced. Breast milk is rich in nitrogen, so a drop in nitrogen isotopes indicates the transition to solid foods.
Urban vs. Rural: A Clear Divide
The study revealed a striking difference between urban and rural breastfeeding practices:
Urban Sites:
- Babies were typically weaned around 2 years of age, aligning with the recommendations of Roman physicians.
Rural Sites:
- Breastfeeding often continued until children were 1.5 to 5 years old, suggesting that rural families either lacked access to medical advice or chose to follow traditional practices.
Why the Divide?
This divide highlights the influence of urbanization and access to medical knowledge in ancient Rome. Wealthier urban families, who could afford wet nurses and had access to medical texts, were more likely to follow official guidelines. Rural families, often poorer and more isolated, may have extended breastfeeding to conserve resources or due to a lack of alternatives.
What Does This Tell Us About Roman Society?
The findings offer a glimpse into the social and economic disparities of the Roman Empire:
Urban Centers:
Cities were hubs of knowledge and wealth, where medical advice was more accessible and followed.
Rural Areas:
The countryside was more isolated, with traditions and resource constraints shaping parenting practices.
This urban-rural divide isn’t just a relic of the past. Studies show that children in modern urban areas are also weaned earlier than those in rural settings, often due to better access to healthcare and nutrition.
What’s Next for This Research?
While this study provides valuable insights, researchers caution that more work is needed to fully understand breastfeeding practices across the Roman Empire. For example:
Unanswered Questions
- Did immigrants adopt Roman breastfeeding guidelines, or did they stick to their own traditions?
- How did breastfeeding practices vary across different regions and social classes?
Future Research Directions
As bioarchaeologist Carlo Cocozza notes, “There is still a parallel today” in the urban-rural divide. By studying the past, we can better understand the factors that shape parenting practices—both then and now.
Why This Matters
This research isn’t just about ancient history—it’s about understanding how cultural, economic, and medical factors influence parenting decisions. Whether in ancient Rome or modern society, the question of when to stop breastfeeding reflects broader societal trends and challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Ancient Roman physicians recommended stopping breastfeeding around age 2, similar to modern guidelines.
- Urban families in Rome followed these guidelines, while rural families often breastfed longer.
- Researchers used isotopic analysis of teeth to uncover these patterns.
- The urban-rural divide in breastfeeding practices mirrors trends seen in modern societies.
Final Thoughts
As historian Laurence Totelin of Cardiff University puts it, this study paints a “very rich image of what was happening in the past,” offering new insights into the lives of ancient Romans and the enduring complexities of parenting.
Main topic research : Ancient Roman breastfeeding, urban vs rural Roman life, Roman Empire history, isotopic analysis, ancient parenting practices.
Source: Science